Gain comprehensive understanding of clients issues
Questions
1. Core microskills are generally used to establish rapport, gain a comprehensive understanding of a client`s issues and help identify what the client would like to achieve from the counselling process. Specialist skills such as challenging, focusing, and reframing are typically used too...
a) Enhance client development and growth.
b) Facilitate change in behaviour, thought patterns or emotions.
c) Help clients become aware of `blind spots` that may be contributing to their issue.
d) Offer clients a different perspective of their issue.
e) All of the above.
2. It is usually appropriate to use specialist communication skills...
a) In `initiating the session` stage as a way of building client-counsellor rapport.
b) In the `gathering data` stage as a way of facilitating understanding of the client`s issue.
c) In the `mutual goal setting` stage as a way of supporting the client in the decision making process.
d) In the `working` stage as a way of supporting the client in identifying what they need to change and how they can achieve this.
Challenging
Select whether the following statements are True or False.
3. Challenging should be used when the counsellor identifies discrepancies, conflicts, and mixed messages in the client`s experience.
True
False
4. The most effective type of challenging are those that involve direct, harsh confrontations.
True
False
5. When used effectively, challenging can help bring about change in the client`s behaviour.
True
False
6. Challenging can help assist clients to broaden their self-awareness.
True
False
7. Challenging focuses on the person as the problem.
True
False
Read the following counselling conversation examples and indicate whether or not the counsellor`s statement is an appropriate use of challenging.
8. Client: [sobbing]. "And now they say she`s terminal. I`m devastated - I don`t think I can do it without her."
Counsellor: "Of course you can."
Is this an appropriate use of challenging?
Yes No
9. The client is telling the counsellor how it`s a good thing that she lost their job but has tears welling in her eyes while she is telling the story of having to clear out her desk.
The counsellor says: "You say that you couldn`t care less about losing your job but you seemed a little teary just then when you were talking about clearing out your desk."
Is this an appropriate use of challenging?
Yes No
10. The client dejectedly tells the counsellor that things are hopeless because everyone hates them.
The counsellor says: "You say that no-one likes you but you mentioned in our last session that you recently had a surprise birthday party organised by your friends and family. It seems to me that there are people who care about you very much."
Is this an appropriate use of challenging?
Yes No